Partial Methods
Partial methods enable developers to insert custom logic into code. Typically, the code is part of a designer-generated class. Partial methods are defined in a partial class that is created by a code generator, and they are commonly used to provide notification that something has been changed. They enable the developer to specify custom behavior in response to the change.
The designer of the code generator defines only the method signature and one or more calls to the method. Developers can then provide implementations for the method if they want to customize the behavior of the generated code. When no implementation is provided, calls to the method are removed by the compiler, resulting in no additional performance overhead.
Declaration
The generated code marks the definition of a partial method by placing the keyword Partial at the start of the signature line.
Partial Private Sub QuantityChanged()
End Sub
The definition must meet the following conditions:
The method must be a Sub, not a Function.
The body of the method must be left empty.
The access modifier must be Private.
Implementation
The implementation consists primarily of filling in the body of the partial method. The implementation is typically in a separate partial class from the definition, and is written by a developer who wants to extend the generated code.
Private Sub QuantityChanged()
' Code for executing the desired action.
End Sub
The previous example duplicates the signature in the declaration exactly, but variations are possible. In particular, other modifiers can be added, such as Overloads or Overrides. Only one Overrides modifier is permitted. For more information about method modifiers, see Sub Statement (Visual Basic).
Use
You call a partial method as you would call any other Sub procedure. If the method has been implemented, the arguments are evaluated and the body of the method is executed. However, remember that implementing a partial method is optional. If the method is not implemented, a call to it has no effect, and expressions passed as arguments to the method are not evaluated.
Example
In a file named Product.Designer.vb, define a Product class that has a Quantity property.
Partial Class Product
Private _Quantity As Integer
Property Quantity() As Integer
Get
Return _Quantity
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Integer)
_Quantity = value
QuantityChanged()
End Set
End Property
' Provide a signature for the partial method.
Partial Private Sub QuantityChanged()
End Sub
End Class
In a file named Product.vb, provide an implementation for QuantityChanged.
Partial Class Product
Private Sub QuantityChanged()
MsgBox("Quantity was changed to " & Me.Quantity)
End Sub
End Class
Finally, in the Main method of a project, declare a Product instance and provide an initial value for its Quantity property.
Module Module1
Sub Main()
Dim product1 As New Product With {.Quantity = 100}
End Sub
End Module
A message box should appear that displays this message:
Quantity was changed to 100
See Also
Concepts
Code Generation in LINQ to SQL
Adding Business Logic By Using Partial Methods (LINQ to SQL)